The Football Forecast

Transition Time for QPR

It’s a period of transition in West London at the moment for Chris Ramsey and Queens Park Rangers; with no fewer than 29 players coming in and going out so far this summer. With the controversial situation regarding Financial Fair Play (FFP) still ongoing, the Super Hoops have been forced to cut down on their wage expenditure in order to comply with the regulations set by FFP. This has lead to a variety of players whom played regularly during last season’s relegation having to move on via contract expiry or transfer deals.

Transfer Ins

There has been plenty of movement on both fronts with a total of 10 players coming into the club so far. Compared to previous managers such as Harry Redknapp and Mark Hughes, Rangers’ pattern in terms of additions has changed this summer since the arrival of Chris Ramsey – with Ramsey seemingly very willing to bring in players from lower down the English table pyramid rather than looking to add players from foreign leagues or loan young starlets from the Premier League. This is a very interesting way to go about the transfer market and it will only be a matter of time before we see whether or not it pays off.

The two shrewdest pieces of business so far by QPR in my opinion have been the signings of Jamie Mackie from Nottingham Forest and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas from Bristol City (both on a free transfer after their contracts expired). In Mackie, Rangers have a returning player who puts 110% in every game and will produce moments of quality when the team need it most. Whereas with ‘JET’, The R’s have bagged themselves a player who has superb individual skill and versatility to play in a number of attacking midfield positions (as well as centre forward). Although it is common knowledge that his work ethic isn’t up to the standard it should be, many Hoops fans believe that Chris Ramsey will be able to help him improve that side of his game and aid him to take it to the next level.

Transfer Outs

The transfer window has been tough on Rangers so far with the likes of: Joey Barton, Steven Caulker, Alex McCarthy and Bobby Zamora leaving the club. Whether these moves were down to FFP or player requests is unknown and the London-based club shouldn’t bother themselves with that now those moves are signed and sealed.

What they do need to worry about however, is the gaps that these players are leaving behind. QPR’s defence was already in poor condtion last season and with Caluker, Dunne and Ferdinand leaving the club, they are now in a situation where if they don’t act quickly and bring in some quality players, they will be forced to panic buy within the final days of the window or work with what they have (which isn’t much).

The major transfer story which is steering the eyes of football fans towards it is that of top goalscorer Charlie Austin. It is no secret that various Premier League clubs have been looking at the 26-year-old (whom scored 18 goals for the Super Hoops last season). As of yet, however, the striker has not expressed any desire to move which fans will feel slightly relieved about.

Who Should They Sign?

One player I have identified which would present a realistic oppurtunity for Rangers is Crystal Palace defender Adrian Mariappa. The Jamaican international has fell down the pecking order at Selhurst Park due to the strong performances that the predominant Palace defenders have put in – therefore, if QPR were to submit a bid for him, it’s extremely likely that the Eagles would be willing to sell. With only one year remaining on his contract, the asking price will more than likely be small and well within the Super Hoops’ range.

Mariappa is a strong defender with the intelligence and discipline to be a key part in a back four. Although he has predominantly played at right-back for Crystal Palace, he is also comfortable at centre-back which is where I believe he would be a perfect fit for Rangers.

With just under a month to go until the end of the summer transfer window, there is still plenty of movement expected from Queens Park Rangers. It appears that no-one at the club is fully satisfied yet with the business done so far and therefore it’s just a matter of time before more signings are made.